--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we asked for permission, we were…" description: "\"“When we asked for permission, we were told no, but we did it anyway, because we knew we needed it.”\" — Gene Kim" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b0/gene-kim-2268_permission_when-we-asked-for-permission-we-were-tol_450653.jpg" --- # When we asked for permission, we were told no, but we did… ![“When we asked for permission, we were told no, but we did it anyway, because we knew we needed it.” quote by Gene Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b0/gene-kim-2268_permission_when-we-asked-for-permission-we-were-tol_450653.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b0/gene-kim-2268_permission_when-we-asked-for-permission-we-were-tol_450653.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b0/gene-kim-2268_permission_when-we-asked-for-permission-we-were-tol_450653.jpg) > ““When we asked for permission, we were told no, but we did it anyway, because we knew we needed it.”” [Gene Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kim/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Defying authority can be justified when the goal is essential and the system blocks progress. **In simple terms:** Sometimes you must act despite denial. Key Takeaway Act when necessary, even if told no. Themes authority innovation risk Mood determined defiant Type motivational strategic When to use this quote - startup pivots - social activism - emergency response - bureaucratic hurdles Key Concepts ethical decision-making organizational change Questions to Reflect On - When is it right to ignore a denial? - What risks do you accept? A Different Perspective May lead to conflict or legal issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“When you’re married.’ Arguably this phrase, as innocuous as it seems, is the worst one to be handed when you’ve asked permission for something”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amal-awad/when-you-re-married-arguably-this-phrase-as-innocuous-as-it-seems-is/) [Amal Awad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amal-awad/) > [“Permission to speak freely?" she asked. "You have that permission, as long as what you say is truth and not personal opinion or conjecture."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/connie-suttle/permission-to-speak-freely-she-asked-you-have-that-permission-as-long/) [Connie Suttle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/connie-suttle/) > [You owe the companies nothing. You especially don't owe them any courtesy. 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It creeps me out to see you sitting in his lap without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyson-noel/just-make-sure-you-re-gone-by-the-time-we-get-to-miles-s-it-creeps-me/) [Alyson Noel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyson-noel/) > [When happiness becomes our standard for judging truth, things that make us happy give us permission to do some things that otherwise would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/when-happiness-becomes-our-standard-for-judging-truth-things-that/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [Instead of explaining the sober facts of mechanics and electricity, I want to say a few words about the debt which we owe to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-bloch/instead-of-explaining-the-sober-facts-of-mechanics-and-electricity-i/) [Felix Bloch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-bloch/) > [ \[Religion\] attacks us in our deepest integrity - the core of our self-respect. 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If people don't like me the way I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-watterson/for-your-information-i-m-staying-like-this-and-everyone-else-can-just/) [Bill Watterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-watterson/) > [What he means by this is that instead of saying you'll "try", you need to "do". And as we let our light shine, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/what-he-means-by-this-is-that-instead-of-saying-you-ll-try-you-need/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [“Do I need permission to breathe, Sir?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kallypso-masters/do-i-need-permission-to-breathe-sir/) [Kallypso Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kallypso-masters/) > [We had to give each other permission to be different as parents. 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